Peggy has spontaneously begun to “write” (ie type) words in order to control the loading of programs. While waiting for Gretchen to make available the DRAW program, Peggy typed “LO” (Did she ask if that was right ? Did she ask what next ?)

With me, she has also asked to control the tape recorder and use of the enter key. At first, I told her what to do, step-by-step, but she has the routine down now in a dependable fashion. While controlling loading, she confided in me today, “I think I’m programming.”.

3V1217.01 The Alphabet Song: letters change but the melody lingers on (5/23/81)

Coming home from Cambridge, Miriam was singing the litany ‘ABCD-EFG…” and getting Peggy to join her. At home, singing by herself, Peggy gave evidence of knowing the tune well but her text was somewhat corrupt: “ABCD-FIG…” was how she began then petered off. Later, at the computer using the ABC program, she announced the objective, “I’m going to make the “ABCD FIY”

Peggy sat alone at the computer. The rest of us were out in the dining room, eating lunch. She called with notable excitement, “Daddy, come see. I’ve spelled ‘LOAD.’ Come see it, Daddy.” Because of her excitement, I left the table, witnessed her achievement (it was, in fact, the first time she correctly spelled a word and knew it to be so) and congratulated her. Obviously proud of herself, Peggy responded, “I think I’m grown up.”

To help put this in its proper perspective, I note that on the same day, for the first time, Peggy was able to insert her own little toilet adapter onto the adult toilet and, using a stool, climb on and off the toilet by herself. She was proud of herself for both reasons, but SHE remarked on the first as evidence of being grown up.